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This unique book documents the history
of Jewish Olympic athletes, many of whom suffered under Nazi persecution
and the Holocaust, illustrating how they used sport as a mechanism
for combating oppression, social prejudice and inequality.
… There is an unusually rich collection
of stories making up the history of the Jews at the Olympic Games.
This is partly due to the prodigious – and widely underestimated
– success of Jewish athletes at the Games, but also owing
to the special history of the Jewish people in the twentieth century
– first, as victims of racism in Europe and then, following
the establishment of modern Israel in 1948, in the ongoing struggle
for peace in the Middle East. Many of the athletes depicted here
fought battles both on and off the running track. The personal drama
and enduring humanity of their stories goes beyond sport and embraces
politics, heroism and resilience. The Olympic Games served to combat
persecution: in sport, the best competitor always wins. On these
equal terms, such political and racial interference is
rendered impotent. No story so richly illustrates the interaction
between sport and politics as the story of Jewish athletes and the
Games.
… From the first Olympics in Athens
in 1896, through to the disasters and triumphs of Munich 1972 and
beyond, Jews and the Olympic Games, which features a list
of the more than 250 Jewish medallists at the Games, is a powerful
account of the conflict between sport and politics.
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| Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Jews, History and the
Olympic Games
1 Duelling for Gold: The Great Jewish-Hungarian
Fencers
2 Liars, Victims and Heroes: The Road to the Nazi Games
3 Competing Against Hitler: The “Non-Aryans” Fight Back
4 Warriors in the Water: Jewish Olympic Swimmers
5 Murder in Munich, 1972: The Attack, the Battle and the Aftermath
6 From Europe to the New World: Jewish Olympic Stars of the
Post-War Era
Postscript: Pride, Prejudice and a
Place for Heroes
Appendix: A Complete Review of Jewish
Olympic Medallists
Notes
Bibliography and Further Reading
Index
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“Makes good use of the published sources and brings them to bear on the Jewish angle.” Choice
“A comprehensive history of Jewish Olympians. Taylor’s book focuses on the political background and conflict; it contains hundreds of stories, lists of Jewish medallists and photographs. It merits a medal.” Sir Martin Gilbert, The Weekly Review, The Jewish Chronicle
“Taylor has produced a unique and compelling history of Jewish sporting achievement. He reveals how Jewish athletes have had to combat not only their Olympic competitors, but also an enduring, often lethal, anti-Semitism.” Colin Tatz, sports historian and author of Obstacle Race: Aborigines in Sport
“Engrossing, innovative and original. Paul Taylor provides a fascinating glimpse into a neglected aspect of the modern Jewish experience; a window into a tumultuous and traumatic century. Through memoir, biography and careful reconstruction, he weaves a moving and dramatic tale, tracing the worlds and lives of Jewish Olympiads. Filled with bravery and pathos, Jewish fencers, athletes and swimmers straddle the stage. Inevitably Hitler’s games and the Munich tragedy loom large. But Nordau’s ‘muscular Judaism’ is at last realized.” Milton Shain, Professor of Modern Jewish History, University of Cape Town |
Publication Details
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Hardback ISBN: |
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978-1-903900-87-1 |
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Paperback ISBN: |
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978-1-903900-88-8 |
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Page Extent / Format: |
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272 pp. / 229 x 152 mm |
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Release Date: |
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July 2004 |
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Illustrated: |
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With pictures of Jewish athletes |
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Hardback Price: |
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£45.00 / $65.00 |
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Paperback Price: |
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£15.95 / $27.95 |
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| This book can be ordered online or by telephone. |
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For the UK and Rest of the World:
Gazelle Book Services
tel. 44 (0)1524-68765 |
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For the United States:
International Specialized Book Services
tel. (1) 503 287-3093 or (800) 944-6190 |
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For Canada:
Scholarly Book Services Inc.
tel. (1) 800-847-9736 |
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